Girls or Barbies

Mercedes Gonzalez Amade

HAVANA TIMES — I live in the same building as two little girls who are both modern just like their mothers. These darlings are around 4 years old and even though they’re from the same family and live in the same apartment, they’re being brought up very differently. One girl is very simple and is how she should be at her age; the other however lives in a bubble of gifts and fashion, removed from childhood interests.

Their economic differences are reflected daily in the food they eat, the toys they play with, photos, etc. That’s normal; people should grow up in accordance with their economic means.

However, some people believe that their children are playthings, dolls we can use to our fancy, and forget that these are human beings in the making. A great deal of tension has built up between the two mothers and this affects the children.

Seeing one of the girls dressed with ribbons in her hair and smock brings back fond memories. However, it’s sad to see the other girl dressed up just like her mother, looking like a miniature woman.

We all go through that phase where we put on our mother’s or older sister’s clothes and shoes, necklaces and even imitate them; that’s a healthy and fun game. What isn’t healthy is for a young girl to adopt this playtime as a lifestyle. Walking for a short while in high heels isn’t the same as wearing them all the time. In fact this could ultimately affect the development of the young girl’s bones in her feet which are still growing and the damage could even be irreversible.

Every stage in life is unique and it’s important to enjoy them all with all they bring. Watching our children grow is one of life’s unmatched privileges and it’s a shame that we tarnish it by rushing through the stages. You have to go up the ladder one step at a time, it’s best not to jump rungs. Girls are so cute in their smocks and with ribbons in their hair, why dress them up in adult women’s clothes?